What to use for bespoke control apps on IOS and Android?

[ipsofacto 8]

I am looking to create simple scene based remote appls to run on IOS and Android either on mobile devices or cheap Android devices in fixed locations ... Fibaro's Apps are simply too complex for daily use by rest of family.

I'd prefer not to get into hand-coding unless there are great reasons to go that far but happy to configure in app "tools" like Open Remote.

What have people used that has worked well in open source?

Is it easy to use Fibaro API to get device status and issues actions from a bespoke interfaces?

Can I work with scenes and virtual devices on the HC2?

Will it all be unnecessary in the mythical v4.0 software upgrade?

I'd appreciate your thoughts on what has worked well for?

[almj 0]

I want to do it also. It can be done via API as I know.

Also Command Fusion is working really well for this, but it it expensive piece of software..

[Dalle1985 16]

Hi,

I've created a small package which can do some of what you are asking:

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It is far from perfect and it is a bit of a hazzle to set up, but personally, I feel that the interface is somewhat more pleasing than the Fibaro proprietary interfaces. If you know just a tiny bit about programming and php, it shouldn't be too difficult to adapt to your needs.

I am however rebuilding the package completely to include far more components and be more intuitive to use. It will have dedicated interfaces for both PC, ipad, iphone and android devices. Everything is based on a webserver, so the only thing you need on your devices is a browser and a WiFi connection. It's still a working progress, but it should be done in a months time or so. It will allow for interaction both with scenes and virtual devices - as well as many other connected, non-z-wave, components, such as hue-bulbs, NetAtmo weather stations, iKettle, a few different tvs, airplay (Mac based music libraries only and with a bit of added magic to control the music), bluetooth beacons (for presence detection/device tracking) and a few other nice components. I'm trying to set it up to make extending the interface to include even more components relatively hazzle free.

I've done this as I too don't feel that the available interfaces for the fibaro units is good enough to act as room controllers. They're not intuitive in any way and there is too much information in the display at one time. The necessary information should be presented in a nice, simple format which is easy to read and non the least, easy to navigate... Also for my girlfriend - she is my ultimate User Acceptance Test, if she think it looks good and doesn't complain too much about it, it must be good!

[ipsofacto 8]

Sound great - will check it out this weekend. Version 2 sounds great ... Thanks

[hvb83 1]

Good to hear you're still working on your interface Dalle!

What pops into my mind just now; Domoticz integration as a sort of hybrid solution between HC2 and Domoticz. Would that be something that would be possible on your interface too? Since you mention other components...

[Dalle1985 16]

Yes hvb83, it's still alive

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/emoticons/default_smile.png" alt=":)" srcset="https://forum.fibaro.com/uploads/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> however, between a busy work schedule and buying a new house, there hasn't been much time for hobbies...

Anyway, I haven't played around with domoticz, so I'm not sure how it works, but here are a few of the key details of my new interface, that might tell you if you can integrate domoticz:

- all data is kept in one common xml table which can be extended by means of javascripts. So if domoticz has a way of extracting values, you will be able to integrate it

- the system is built around what i've decided to call Control Elements, "CEs". These will be standard size and use the xml table for inputs. The CEs will be standardized in terms of size, (1-4x the height of the current elements) but you'll be able to fill any content into them. Then all you need is a input module to fill values into the xml table and an output module (i've moved from php to ajax for the output modules) to interact with your external component (i.e. Domoticz).

- the system will include an alarm system which can be programmed with any scenario you please with any component you want. It has a pinpad for easy activation and scenario selection.

- the system comes with a temperature control module with individual room schemes and on/off triggers

- everything will be php, mysql and jquery, so it should be relatively simple to extend.

- components can be configured to open an extended menu on double tap to allow for further options. For instance, double tapping a hue CE will open a popup where you can play with all the controls, i.e. Hue, brightness, saturation etc.

I have already built CEs for all fibaro devices, for hue bulbs and for my iKettle. I'm working on CEs for virtual devices which will setup with the elements of the VD for direct action from the interface. I will also include a set of CEs for starting/stopping scenes. Beyond that, it will be possible to extend using custom CEs built using php and jquery. My goal is to integrate a dedicated zwave radio into my NUC and then circumvene the hc2 all together.

Hope that gave you a little more insight into what to expect?